Chhetri’s India won the 8th SAFF Championship title, the captain equaled Messi in the 3-0 defeat of Nepal. Football News – Times of India

Male (Maldives): Talisman Sunil Chhetri equal to prestigious Lionel Messi With their 80th international strike as an inspired India, beat Nepal 3–0 in their eighth place SAIF Championship title here on saturday
India dominated the regional tournament with second half goals from Chhetri (49th), Suresh Singh (50th) and Sahal Abdul Samad (90th).
With his strike, 37-year-old Chhetri equaled Messi and became the second highest goalscorer in international football among active players.
Suresh Singh and Saha then added to the tally and paved the way for India’s title win, much needed after a mediocre series.

Sahal made it 3-0 when he dribbled some defenders after receiving the ball on the left flank on the stroke of the final whistle.
India dominated in the first half but failed to break the deadlock. However, Chhetri put India ahead in the minutes in the second half and before Nepal settled down, Suresh made it 2-0.
This is the first title victory of the Indian football team under the leadership of the head coach. igor stimaka, who has faced criticism in recent days for his side’s inability to win enough games.
However, when it mattered the most in this edition of the regional tournament, Stimac’s players delivered the results the team’s fans were waiting for.

Stimac Jiri Pesek (1993) and . Became the third foreign coach after Stephen Constantine (2015) with the Indian team to win the title.
Chhetri gives India the lead after neatly hitting a delivery Pritam Kotala On the right bank, the Nepalese goalkeeper saw no chance of coming to the rescue of his team.
Barely a minute after Chhetri’s opener, another India attack completely shut down Nepal as Suresh found the back of the net after Yasir Mohammed brilliantly cut it back to the midfielder.
After two quick strikes with their tails up, India fought hard for more but could not add to the tally for some time before Sahal got to the back of the net with his solo effort.

Manveer Singh got a chance in the 52nd minute before Sahal’s strike, but his left-footed effort was blocked.
In the 79th minute, Udant Singh had a good chance to score but Rohit Chand caught the Indian winger with a good block.
It was goalless at the break as both India and Nepal could not capitalize on the opportunities that came their way.
India could have advanced a few minutes before half-time but the right flank delivery for Chhetri did not go well as the Indian skipper’s effort went wide.
However, India, with their second half performance, did much to Stimac’s delight.
India entered the game with a psychological advantage over the Himalayan nation as historical or recent data favored Stimac’s side to lift the title again.
After starting their campaign off the ground, India ended it in style against the first-time finalists.
The final was the 12th for India in 13 editions, showing the Blue Tigers’ dominance in this regional tournament.